Distinguished - Thesis is exceptionally well designed and focus is considerably more developed than the general topic. Thesis concerns one specific idea and expertly argues a position. Firm and succinct thesis statement is included at end of introductory paragraph or section regarding thesis development.

Proficient - Thesis is well designed and focus is more developed than the general topic. Thesis concerns one specific idea and clearly argues a position. Distinct thesis statement is included at end of introductory paragraph or section regarding thesis development.

Basic - Thesis is adequately designed. Focus is more developed than the general topic, but is vague or unclear. Thesis concerns one specific idea, but either neglects to argue a position or no distinct thesis statement is included at end of introductory paragraph or section regarding thesis development.

Below Expectations - Thesis development is attempted, but thesis is either too vague or confusing. Topic is chosen, but thesis either concerns more than one major idea, neglects to argue a position on the topic, does not narrow focus beyond the general topic, or no distinct thesis statement is included at end of introductory paragraph or section regarding thesis development.

Non-Performance - The thesis is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Topic examples utilized to support the thesis are comprehensive and rich in detail, contributing greatly to the thesis.

Proficient - Topic examples utilized to support the thesis are reasonable and contribute to the thesis. Examples could be more fully developed to support the thesis in greater detail.

Basic - Topic examples utilized to support the thesis are adequate, but of mixed results. Some contribute to the thesis, while others are unrelated. Examples are sometimes vague and need clarification.

Below Expectations - Topic examples utilized to support the thesis are used sparingly and may be unrelated to the thesis. Examples are often vague and need clarification.

Non-Performance - The topic examples utilized to support the thesis are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - The totality of the academic source materials utilized is of the highest quality, university-level standards.

Proficient - The totality of the academic source materials utilized meets university-level standards. A minority of academic sources may be of limited value to the thesis.

Basic - A majority of the academic source materials utilized meet university-level standards. A minority of sources utilized are either commercial websites of dubious academic merit, or may be unrelated to the thesis.

Below Expectations - A minimal number of academic sources utilized are of university-level standards. The majority of sources utilized are either commercial websites of dubious academic merit or may be unrelated to the thesis.

Non-Performance - The academic source materials are either nonexistent or the quality of the source materials lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Critical analysis and original thought is of exceptional quality. Paper contains rich and detailed analytical arguments and original thoughts that are extrapolated from the source materials. Sources are expertly utilized to accompany and/or support analytical suppositions.

Proficient - Critical analysis and original thought is of high quality. Paper contains analytical arguments and original thoughts that are extrapolated from the source materials. Sources are utilized to accompany and/or support analytical suppositions.

Basic - Critical analysis and original thought is adequate. Paper contains some analytical arguments or original thoughts that are extrapolated from the source materials. Sources are occasionally utilized to accompany and/or support analytical suppositions.

Below Expectations - Critical analysis and original thought is limited. Paper contains some analytical arguments or original thoughts, but they are unrelated to the source materials and may be irrelevant to the assignment. Sources are not utilized to accompany and/or support analytical suppositions.

Non-Performance - Critical analysis and original thought is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Conclusions and related outcomes are logical and clearly reflect an informed evaluation and the ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Proficient - Conclusions and related outcomes are logical and reflect an informed evaluation and the ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Basic - Conclusions and related outcomes are identified and minimally reflect an informed evaluation and the ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Below Expectations - Conclusions and related outcomes are not logical or reflective of an informed evaluation and the ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Demonstrates consistent use of reliable, appropriate sources and/or evidence to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing.

Proficient - Demonstrates mostly consistent use of reliable sources that are appropriate to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer some support to the ideas in the writing. 

Basic - Demonstrates somewhat inconsistent use of sources that are mostly reliable to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer little support to the ideas in the writing.

Below Expectations - Inconsistently utilizes sources and/or evidence that may be unrelated and offer little support to the ideas in the writing. 

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.